Lexington, Ky. – The Transylvania men's basketball team opened up its 2021-22 home slate with a 75-70 win over the Westminster (Pa.) College Titans on Saturday afternoon at the Clive M. Beck Center.
Hunter Penn fielded his second consecutive double-double to open up his collegiate career with 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds as the Pioneers held a lead for most of the second half, weathering a comeback from the visiting Titans before closing down the afternoon with precision execution.
Transylvania improved to 2-0 on the season and dealt its second straight opponent its first loss of the season as Westminster dropped to 3-1 overall.
The Titans carved out a 19-11 lead to begin the afternoon before the Pioneers settled into their home rhythm. Ethan Hudson scored six of his 12 points during the comeback for the Pioneers on a pair of triples to help the Pioneers close within one at 28-27 with less than six minutes to go in the half.
Transylvania took care of the basketball in the first half, committing just four turnovers to nine by the Titans to climb back into the contest. The Pioneers scored 12 points off turnovers in the opening half compared to four by Westminster.
Transylvania turned the tide heading into halftime with a breathtaking final half minute, beginning with a jumper from Matthew Teague. The Pioneers forced a turnover near halfcourt with 18 seconds to go and Teague raced to the hoop again for a score. History repeated itself just seconds later as Teague came up with a steal near the timeline and scored on a buzzer-beating layup, handing the Pioneers a 37-33 lead heading into the half.
Zach Larimore and Penn kickstarted the Transylvania offense to begin the second half as the home team's lead grew to 55-47 with 10:37 remaining in regulation. Westminster responded with a 7-0 run over the next two minutes to slice Transy's advantage to 55-54, but Penn battled his way to the foul line and nailed two free throws to strengthen the lead. Westminster countered with a set of triples to claim a 60-57 lead, but Colby Napier made the Pioneers' lone threeball of the second half to seize up the game at 60-60 with 5:21 left.
Westminster scored inside to retake the lead, but Jack Patton split a pair of free throws and Aiden Pashley scored on a committed drive to give the lead back to the Pioneers, 63-62 with 3:24 left in the game. The Pioneers' offensive teamwork launched a 9-0 Pioneer run, aided by free throws from Hudson and another inside power score by Penn. With the shot clock winding down with less than a minute to go, Patton nailed a fadeaway for the final dagger to give Transy a 69-62 lead.
Larimore scored a game-high 17 points to go with four rebounds, two assists and one steal. Napier had 14 points on 5 for 12 shooting from the field, while Patton had an all-around line of seven points, a game-high six assists, and three steals along with his finishing blow. Teague had eight points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal off the bench for Transy. The Pioneers had 10 steals to five by Westminster as Patton and Penn had three thefts apiece.
Transylvania will break for the Thanksgiving holiday before returning to action in one week on Saturday, November 27 for a 7:00 p.m. showdown with regional opponent Asbury University from the Beck Center.
For more on Transylvania men's basketball, follow @TransyHoops on Twitter
